Mechanical elimination of aquatic growths

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for eliminating upstanding, floating and other aquatic growths from lakes, rivers and streams, including much of their root structure, comprising mechanically moving the upstanding and floating aquatic growths generally downward to a zone automatically controlled as to its position relative to the root structure of the growths, where suction is applied to draw the growths and roots through a cutting zone where the growths and roots are cut into short pieces, and into a vacuum chamber where entrained air and growths juices are removed from their stems and leaves, and the growths structure collapsed. The cut and collapsed growths and roots may then be subjected to a second cutting operation, with or without pressure, to further destroy their growth identity, and reduce the growths and roots to a finely divided inert mass, which may then be spread as a blanket on the water bottom from which the growths and roots were originally removed, or delivered to a remote location.

[111 3,862,537 1 1 Jan. 28, 1975 1541 MECHANICAL ELIMINATION or AQUATICGROWTHS [76] Inventor: Merle P. Chaplin, 609 Driver Ave.,

' Winter Park, Fla. 32789 22 Filed: May 29, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 364,283

[52] US. Cl. 56/9 [51] Int. Cl A0ld 45/08 [58] Field of Search 56/1, 8,9; 37/59, 62, 37/58, 72; 114/235 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 733,360 7/1903 Austin 56/9 1,080,144 12/1913 Ennis l 56/91,344,626 6/1920 Ellis 56/9 1,571,395 2/1926 Clark 56/9 1,795,003 3/1931Allen 56/9 2,065,733 12/1936 Pearson 56/8 2,181,863 12/1939 Bell. 56/92.629.218 2/1953 Smith 56/9 3,468,106 9/1969 Myers et al.. 56/93.521.387 7/1970 Degelman.... 56/9 3,599,354 8/1971 Larson 56/83,659,712 5/1972 Chaplin 56/9 Primary Iiruminer-Antonio F. GuidaAttorney, Agent, or FirmEdwin E. Greigg [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus andmethod for eliminating upstanding, floating and other aquatic growthsfrom lakes, rivers and streams, including much of their root structure,comprising mechanically moving the upstanding and floating aquaticgrowths generally downward to a zone automatically controlled as to itsposition relative to the root structure of the growths, where suction isapplied to draw the growths and roots through a cutting zone where thegrowths and roots are cut into short pieces, and into a vacuum chamberwhere entrained .air and growths juices are removed from their stems andleaves, and the growths structure collapsed. The cut and collapsedgrowths and rootsmay then be subjected to a second cutting operation,with or without pressure, to further destroy their growth identity, andreduce the growths and roots to a finely divided inert mass, which maythen be spread as a blanket on the water bottom from which the growthsand roots were originally removed, or delivered to a remote location.

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PATENTEUJANZBIBY5 3,862,537 sum 13oF 15 il -91' vAwE NEUTRAL RELATEDINVENTIONS In my Pat; No. 3,546,858, issued Dec. .15, 1970,

there is disclosed, an apparatus for removing whole growths from a bodyof water, after which they are shredded and normally packaged in theform of blocks or-briquettes. Where they are notsuitable for use in anyof the forms here disclosed, the shredded growths may,

be returned to the body of water from which they were removed.

n my Pat. No. 3,540,194, issued Nov. 17, 1970,

there is disclosed, an apparatus for removing marine growths and theirroots from a water bottom by first loosening their root structure bypressure water, in a step-by-step process, then exploding the growthsand roots upward by compressed air, the material is then removed by achain conveyor, shredded, compressed into blocks,.or pumped to a shorearea.

. In my Pat. application Ser/No. 249,371, filed May 1, 1972, and nowabandoned, there is disclosed, acontinuous method for not only removingmarine growths and theirroots from a water bottom, but also for removingthe nutriments and silt in which they were growing. This is accomplishedby continuously moving a relatively horizontal tube or pipe through andbelow the growths while continuously ejecting pressure water to loosenthe, root structure, and periodically ejecting pressure air to separatethe root structure from the water bottom, the material is then cut andremoved by suction. A return pass of the apparatus rewashes the waterbottom to remove any nutriments,silt'or dirt not removed by the firstoperation. All material so removed is used to form a deep water reef orbarrier to limit in- -flow of dirt and nutriments'from adjacent storm orother sewers.

OTHER PATENTS OF INTEREST The problem of aquatic growths is not new. Infact, it has been recognized for over .100 years, and many attempts havebeenmade to solvethis problem.

The Piper Pat. No. 154,900 of 1874, provided equip- 2 from the surface,anddelivers them to the deck of a barge. 1 I

The Smith Pat. No. 2,629,218 of 1953, discloses a shearing device forgathering Irish moss by cutting it off above the roots, and then liftingit by a suction device to a basket on a boat or barge.

The Grinwald Pat. No. 3,286,447 of 1966, discloses an apparatus forstripping weeds from the bottom of a lake, then gathering them,subjecting them to a compressing operation and thereafter unloading themeither to the shore of a lake, orto a barge. The weeds are cut by achain blade cutting device and removed from the lake by a conveyor.

The Grinwald Pat. No. 3,347,029 of 1967, discloses improvements over hisearlier Pat. No. 3,286,447, namely, the provision of improved means foroperating the cutters, and improved means for. handling the material.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Notwithstanding the above and many otherdevelopments designed to eliminate aquatic'growths, little use has beenmade of them, due to their small capacity,

ment for cutting-a swath through water plants to free I the water forice-making purposes;

The Christen Pat. No..669,820 of 1901 has a large revolving knifeassembly which cuts the growths as it is moved into the growth area. Itis difficult to see how they can be cut into small pieces, as few,ifany, arecutat the shear plate.

The King Pat. No. 727,807- of 1903, consists of a scow having awidefront recess which, on its forward movement, gathers the growths to anelevator and from there they are subjected to squeezing, drying andburning equipment, where they are ultimately consumed.

The Austin Pat. No. 733,360 of 1903, provides a belt member which picksup the growths from the water and delivers them to crushing rolls, andthereafter the crushed material is returned to the water.

The McDermott Pat. No. 2,322,864 of 1943, discloses an apparatus forrepeatedly severing tule stalks during the growing season some distancebelowthe water level, thereby to cut off air admission to the roots.

The Grinwald Pat. No. 2,486,275 of 1949, discloses an apparatus in theform of a scoop which strips growths from the bottom, or gathersfloating growths cost of operation, and general inefficiency, due,largely, to the attempts to remove whole growths in' a tangled, bulkymass, and almostno attempt to remove any part of their root structure toinhibit future growth.

A few years ago, as the aquatic growths problem became more serious, theuse of various chemicals was undertaken. All of these are in some formof poison, and, while affording some temporary relief, as far as aquaticgrowths were concerned, their use frequently resulted in massive fishkills, use of lake water for irrigation'killed lawns and gardens, andall water activities and use of lakes so treated were forbidden for anindefinite period of time.

In January of 1972, the Florida Department of Natural Resources locatedat Tallahassee, Florida, acting under the Florida Aquatic Weed ControlAct of 1970, issued a directive under the title Guidelines for AquaticWeed Control. Admittedly, the use of chemicals is a stop-gap measure.And this directive goes on to state The short term goal of the Bureau ofAquatic Weed Control and Research is to control and reduce the spreadand problem of noxious aquatic plants. The long-term goal is to strivethrough research to discover more effective and efficient means. It isalso stated in the directive that It is intended that wherevermechanical means are feasible and desirable, they should be employed inpreference to chemicals.

It is to this long-term objective, as outlined above, that thisinvention is primarily directed. To attain this long-term primaryobjective, a number of secondary objectives are essential:

Moving all upstanding and floating aquatic growths generally downwardfrom the surface of the water in which they are growing, to a suctionzone near or close to their root structure.

Drawing the growths by suction, and much of their roots through acutting zone where they are severed into short lengths. I

Moving the cut growths through a vacuum chamber to remove entrained airand growth juices from their stems and leaves, whereby the growthstructure is collapsed.

Subjecting the cut and collapsed growths to additional cutting tofurther reduce their growth identity and particle size.

Applying pressure during the secondary cutting operation to force outany remaining air or growths juices, and render the material so treated,completely inert.

Returning the growths so processed to the water bottom from which theywere originally removed, in the form of a blanket layer to discouragefurther growths development, or to deliver the inert mass to a remotelocation.

Automatically maintaining an optimum position of the suction and primarycutting mechanism relative to the growth root structure and waterbottom.

Automatically lifting the primary cutting mechanism to clear anobstruction.

Automatically maintaining an optimum position for the'dischargemechanism relative to the water bottom to form a blanket of theprocessed inert material.

The invention will be better understood as well as further objectsandadvantages become more apparent from the ensuing detailed specificationof the exemplaryembodiments taken in conjunction with the draw- BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of the conveyorfeeding upstanding growths and their roots to a cutter;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the primary and secondary cutters, vacuumchamber and delivery pipe;

FIG. 2a is a typical view showing the general appearance of aquaticgrowths after primary cutting;

FIG. 2b is a typical view showing the general appearance of a cutaquatic growth after being exposed to vacuum; I

FIG. 2c is atypical view showing the general appearance of aquaticgrowths after secondary cutting;

FIG. 3 showstlie general appearance of an upstanding aquatic growthprior to capture by the conveying and cutting mechanism;

FIG. 4 discloses the functional arrangement of the system;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 6 is a sectional viewof a single primary cutter assembly;

FIG. 6a is a partial sectional view of the pressure water jet assembly;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a single primary cutter assemblywith a portion of the housing cut away;

FIG. 8 is a top plan of the primary cutting and collec'ting assembly;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the primary cutters;

FIG. 10 is a detailed side elevational view of the depth control device;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the depth control device with the contactdrum shown in section;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an alternative method of operating thesolenoid valve from that shown in FIGS. and 16;

FIG. 13 shows the diaphragm valve for controlling the back pressure forthe secondary cutter in cross sectron;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the barge with its equipment andwith the cooperative conveying and cutting mechanism shown in full linelowered position and also in a dotted line raised position;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the upper swinging pipe joints;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of the upper swinging pipe joints;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view through the solenoid valve in position toautomatically lift the primary cutter assemblies clear of anobstruction;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view through the solenoid valve in neutralposition;

FIG. 19 shows the safety device for the primary cutter assembly in fullline and dotted line position and arranged to permit the assembly tostop its forward movement on encountering an obstruction;

FIG. 20 shows an alternative arrangement for lifting the suction anddischarge pipes by hydraulic cylinders rather than by cables as shown inFIG. 19;

FIG. 20a shows a detailed view of the swinging pipe joint on lines 14A14A of FIG. 14;

FIG. 20b is a sectional view through the swinging pipe joint;

FIG. 200 is a partial plan view of the deck showing the position of thelift cylinders;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the pumping and auxiliary cuttingequipment located on the deck of a floatable structure;

FIG. 22 is an end view of the discharge pipe;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the pilot valve in neutral position;

FIG. 23a is a sectional view through the hydraulic actuators for movingthe pilot valves to control the position of the primary cutters;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view through the pilot valve in position to liftthe primary cutter assembly;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view through the pilot valve in position to movethe primary cutter assembly down;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the pilot and solenoid valves in neutralposition;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the solenoid valve in neutralposition, and the pilot valve in position to move the primary cutterassembly down;

FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing the pilot and solenoid valves withthe solenoid valve in neutral position, and the pilot valve in positionto move the primary cutter assembly up;

FIG. 29 is a schematic view showing the pilot and solenoid valves withthe pilot valve in neutral position and with the solenoid valve operatedto move the primary assembly up; FIG. 30 is a side elevational view,partly in section, of the distributing device with depth control forspreading the processed aquatic growths in the form of a blanket on thewater bottom;

FIG. 31 is a partial plan and sectional view of the. dual spreaders withthe depth control located in the center between the spreaders;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view through one of the spreaders;

FIG. 33 is a view illustrating how the processed aquatic growths may bedeposited at a location remote from that from which they were removed;

FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of the depositing device of FIG. 33;and

FIG. 35 is an end view, partly in section, of the depositing device ofFIG. 33.

The substance of this invention can be best understood by firstreferring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, in this order. Referring particularly toFIG. 1, the primary cutter assembly is moving to the left, which'bringsithe upblade51 and the moving blade52, and they are cut intoshort pieces as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 2a. The suction zone is definedbetween the water bottom and a horizontal member 71, and the bottom roll23. The depth of this suction zone, or the distance between the waterbottom and the member 71 is adjustable and controlled automatically,aswill be explained later.

. Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the primary cutter assembly consists of asuction pipe 49, and onits top wall 50 is mounted a fluid motor 57,driving a rotary cutter 52 mounted on the flange 53 of the fluid motorshaft. The rotary cutteroperates in an enclosure defined by the rearwall 54, the front wall 56, and the spacer 55. An opening 59 is providedin the front wall 56 through which the aquatic growths and their rootsare drawn by suction, and, in passing through this opening, they are cutinto short pieces by the interaction of the stationary blades 51 andvthe moving blades 52.

To aid in directingthe growths through the suction opening 59,pressurewater jets 75, from manifolds 74, urge the growths and theirroots toward the opening 59. Pressure water for these jets is suppliedthrough pipe Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the generalcharacter of the upstanding aquatic growth is best shown in these views.Air retained in the stems and leaves, holds it in a generally verticalposition. Shown at a reduced scale in FIG. 2, the upstanding andsometimes floating growths 150 are drawn downwardly by contact with theopenmesh belt 22, and 'throughthe cutting zone as previously describedwhere they are cut into short pieces, the general character of which isindicated by FIG. 2a.

V roots through a cutting zone defined by the stationary v turneddirectly to the water bottom as indicated by the single arrowsl In thiscase, valve VD is open and valves VA, VB, VG and VII are closed. If itis desired to recut the growths without pressure, the growths follow thedouble arrows with valves VB and VG open, and valves VD, VA, VF and VHclosed.

- The secondary cutting mechanism here shown, is known as a jordan, andiswidely used in the pulp and paper industry in the preparation of papermaking materials. It generally consists of a conical outer housing 145having internally projecting cutter blades 144, and

an inner conical member having outwardly projecting under pressure,which tends to increase their density These cut growths then pass into avacuum chamber 17, where the entrained air and much of their growth.main suction pump 3 and may be delivered to a pressure pump 5, forfurther cutting and processing by the secondary cutter 7, fromwhich'they pass down through pipe 36 to be spread as a blanket on thewater bottom from which they were removed. The general character of thegrowths at this point is indicated by FIG. 20, and

their growth identity is completely destroyed. Crushing or shreddingwhole length aquatic growths is a most ineffective method of destroyingtheir growth identity. The growth juices are left intact, and anyshredding or crushing operation frequently increases their ability torepropagate.

and reducesthe particle size. This can here be utilized by openingvalves VA, VF and VH, and closing valves VD, VB and VG.

The preferred type of valve is a commercial diaphragm valve, the generalstructure of which is shown by FIG. 13. The flexible diaphragm 120 isforced down by plunger 121 and the piston in cylinder 181 to thepos'ition indicated by the dotted line. When open, this type of valvehas nothing to obstruct the flow of mate- 'rial. In the case of valveVH, used to control back pressure on the secondary cutter, a commercialpressure 'control valve may be used, the valve member 168 being movedby. piston 149, from pressure on the secondary cutter discharge pipe 33,which increases or decreases the pressure in cylinder 181, in a mannerwell known in the art.

Any reasonable number of primary cutter assemblies shown in FIGS-6 and 7can be assembled as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, five being shown in thisparticular case. Each cutter assembly is bolted to a suction manifold60, .whichis connected by a rotary joint 62, to vacuum chamber 17. Eachprimary cutter assembly can be readily removedfor repair or replacement.A bracket extension 66, from the suction manifold 60, provides bearings18 for supporting the lower roll.23.

The distance or space between the lower roll 23, the horizontal plate71, and the growths root structure (FIG. 1) is automatically regulatedby a depth control device shown in detail by FIGS. 10 and 11, and inassembly by FIGS. 8 and 9. It comprises a roll or drum 115, travelingover the water bottom after the growths and their roots have beenremoved. This roll or drum is mounted on a lever 114, pivoted in bracket113, secured to the tiemember 61 of suction manifold 60. A right angleextension of the lever 114 connects through links 111 and pins 112 tothe valve stem of pilot valve PV-1. It will thus be seen that anymovement of the drum 115 up or down, will be transmitted to the pilotvalve P-V1 which will cause the entire primary cutter assembly to bemoved up or down as will be explained Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, thereare indicated the character of the growths, and the desired finalproduct.

For instance, the-cut and collapsed growths may be relater.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 14, the primary cutter assembly issupported by three cables 19, secured at the lower ends to lugs 65 onthe suction manifold 60 and tie bar 61 (FIG. 8). At the upper end, thecables 19 are secured to cable drums 20, actuated by a fluid motor 21.This fluid motor 21 is actuated by pressure fluid under control of pilotvalve PV] and solenoid valve SV, as will be described later.

In FIG. 21, there is shown on the deck of the floating structure 1, thevarious equipment discussed in detail in connection with FIG. 4comprising generally the main suction pump 3 and its driving engine 4,as well as the pressure pump 5 and its driving engine 6. The secondarycutter 7 and its driving engine 8 are also shown in this view as well asthe pressure oil pump 13,

its driving engine 14, the pressure water pump 11 and its driving engine12, the electric generator 9 and its driving engine 10. Cable drums 38driven by fluid motor 34 are used to move the discharge pipes 36 up anddown. A'master control station is shown at 41.

For moving the floating structure 1 and the equipment associatedtherewith from place-to place, and to move it forward in operation, fourelectric propulsion units 40 are used, each capable of being rotated afull 360 so thattheir propulsive efforts can be utilized to direct themovement of the floating structure and its equipment in any directionand speed. This method of propulsion is particularly useful in holdingthe equipment on course during side winds.

Referring to FIG. 14, the primary cutter assembly is shown suspendedfrom the floating structure 1 by cables 19, as has already beendescribed, a swinging pipe joint 62 between the primary cutter assemblyand the vacuum chamber 17 permits the assembly to be retained in ahorizontal position while being moved up and down. Swinging pipe joint126 at the upper end, permits the entire assembly of the primary cuttersand the vacuum chamber 17 to be moved up and down.

It will be noted in FIG. 22, that there is a longitudinal recess on theunderside of the floating structure 1, extending itsentire length. Thispermits the single suction pipe and vacuum chamber 17 and the dualdischarge pipes 36 to be lifted up into this recess, permitting theequipment to operate in or to be moved in shallow water.

The open mesh belt 22 shown at the left in FIG. 14 is supported at thelower end by roll 23, turning'in bearings 18 (FIG. 8), carried bybracket 66 from the suction manifold of the primary cutter assembly. Atthe top end, the open mesh conveyor is supported and driven by roll 24which is operated by fluid motor 44. Spacing member 42 holds the rolls23 and 24 in proper position relative to each other. One or moreintermediate rolls 43, hold the moving open mesh belt 22 in positionagainst the pressure of the water and growths, as the equipment is movedto the left.

The upper roll 24 is supported in bearings in the ends of two links 25.The opposite ends of links 25 are pivoted to sliding blocks 26, capableof being moved back and forth in guides 27 by cylinders 28. The objectof this arrangement is, first, to provide a bearing support for the toproll 24, and, second, to provide for positioning the top roll 24 at thewill of the operator in the various positions indicated by the dottedlines.

The two discharge pipes 36 are supported by cables 37, and cable drums38 driven by a fluid motor 34. The obvious reason for having twodischarge pipes 36 is to avoid interference with the single suction pipeand vacuum chamber 17, and also to provide for a wider spread of theprocessed growths on the water bottom. The two discharge pipes 36 mayalso be drawn up into the central recess 2, on the underside of thefloating structure.

It will be noted, that of necessity, the depth control device of FIG.must be mounted back of the foremost part of the primary cuttermechanism, and the drum contacts the water bottom after the growths androots have been removed. Also, that only one of these devices can beused, and is located near the center of the primary cutter assembly asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This means that some unevenness of the waterbottom or some obstruction may be encountered by some part of theprimary cutter assembly, usually, the curved section at the bottom ofthe front cover 56, FIG. 6. This may result in some injury to theprimary cutter assembly, or dirt and other foreign material being drawninto the suction openings 59.

To guard against this, a safety device, shown in FIG 13 and also in FIG.19 is utilized. Instead of the upper end of the suction pipe and vacuumchamber 17 being rigidly attached to the floating structure 1, it isattached by an articulated or swinging pipe joint 126 to pipe 128 whichis, in turn, connected at its upper end to the main suction pipe byswinging joint 125. The pipe 128 and the primary cutter assembly is heldin its normal forward operating position by piston rod 131, and piston130 operating in cylinder 129. The pressure on cylinder 129 is regulatedby a pressure reducing valve 136 set just high enough to hold theprimary cutter assembly in forward position for normal operation. Apressure relief valve 137 is set at a slightly higher pressure.

Should the primary cutter assembly encounter an obstruction, its forwardmovement can then stop, and the increased pressure on the cylinder willbe relieved through the relief valve 137, and the pipe 128 will move tothe right. At the start of such movement. switch 124 will be actuated,which will actuate the solenoid valve SV to the position shown in FIG.23, which will start lifting the primary cutter assembly clear of theobstruction as will be described in detail later.

As soon as the primary cutter assembly has cleared the obstruction, theincreased pressure on cylinder 129 will cease, and the pressure fromcontrol valve 136 will return the primary cutter assembly to normalposition. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a tee-shaped pipe section issecured to the main suction pump 3, and on the ends of the tee section,are mounted swinging pipe joints of conventional design, well known inthe art. Secured to the central section is a bracket carrying a switch124. Secured to one of the movable swinging joints is a bracket 123which actuates the switch 124 the instant that the pipes 128 start theirmovement to the right.

The operation of the depth control device, FIG. 10. the pilot valve,FIGS. 23, 24 and 25, and the solenoid valve, FIGS. 17 and 18, will nowbe explained. This operation can be best understood by referring toFIGS. 26, 27, 28 and 29.

In FIG. 26, the pilot valve PV-l is shown in neutral position, thesolenoid valve SV in nonoperative position, the pressure pump is shownat 13, the oil supply tank at T, and the lifting means for the primarycutter assembly either in the cylinder 82 (to be explained later), orthe fluid motor 21. Pressure from pump P through SV ports K and M isblocked by the position of the pilot valve at port B.

In FIG. 27, the depth control device has moved the pilot valve to theleft, thus requiring that the primary cutting assembly be moved down.The pressure oil flow from pump 13 follows the arrows through SV ports Kand M, through PV ports B and C, through SV ports P and 0, through theflow control valve V to the down side of cylinder 82 of fluid motor 21.The check valve

1. Apparatus for removing aquatic growths from a predetermined area of abody of water, comprising a downwardly movable open mesh belt, astructure arranged to support said belt, means mechanically coupled tosaid structure and said open mesh belt for moving said structure andsaid belt into an area of upstanding aquatic growths during which thewater passes through the open mesh belt and the aquatic growths adhereto its surface, means arranged to move the belt downwardly to an areaadjacent to the root structure of said aquatic growths, a conduit havingan entry arranged to receive the aquatic growths, vacuum means fortransporting said growths and roots from the area, and means disposedadjacent to the entry of said conduit for cutting the growths into shortpieces prior to their entry thereinto.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the vacuum means includes a vacuum chamber into which the cutaquatic growths are moved by the suction to thereby remove entrained airand growth juices.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vacuumchamber includes further means associated therewith for recutting thegrowths into smaller pieces.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein thevacuum means further includes pressure means for transporting saidinitially cut growths to another means of a further cutting operation.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second means for the furthercutting operation includes a floatable hose and a reef-forming devicefor delivering the processed growths to an area remote from that fromwhich they were originally removed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, whichincludes plural means for delivering the processed growths in the formof a blanket on the bottom of a body of water from which they wereoriginally removed.
 7. The apparatus for cutting aquatic growths intoshort pieces, comprising a substantially vertical downwardly movableopen mesh belt adapted to contact said aquatic growths and move themdownwardly, at least one submersible housing provided with meansdefining an entry opening therein in the vicinity of said belt,rotatable cutter means arranged within said housing, means adapted todrive said rotatable cutter means to advance upstanding aquatic growthsand said downwardly moving aquatic growths toward said entry opening,further means associated with said housing defining a discharge openingtherein, vacuum conduit means associated with said means defining saiddischarge opening and power means for drawing a vacuum and serving tocause said aquatic growths to enter said means defining the entryopening in said housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the meansdefining the entry opening is straddled by jet means adapted to captureaquatic growths and direct them toward said entry opening.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cutter means comprises asubmersible cutting device, and comprising additionally a floatablestructure, said open mesh belt comprising a power driven water-permeableconveyor means supported by said floatable structure and arranged tohave a portion thereof extend above the surface of the body of water andat least a major portion extend substantially vertically downwardly tonear the bottom of the body of water where roots of the aquatic growthsmay be present, and means adapted to permit oscillatory movement of saidconveyor means and said cutting device relative to the surface of thebody of water to capture aquatic growths of varying heights.
 10. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the conveyor means furtherincludes drive roll means, idler roll means, and means interposedtherebetween to prevent collapse of said conveyor belt under waterpressure.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cuttingmeans has associated therewith a means arranged to contact with thebottom surface of the body of water in the immediate vicinity of saidcutter means and adapted to sense bottom surface contour changes andthereby maintain the cutter means in proper correlation relativethereto.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said meansarranged to contact with the bottom surface of the body of water in theimmediate vicinity of said cutter means and adapted to sense bottomsurface contour changes and thereby maintain the cutter means in propercorrelation relative thereto, comprises a rotatable means.
 13. Theapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rotatable means isassociated with a hydraulically actuated pilot valve, said valvearranged to control means associated with the floatable structure forraising and lowering the conveyor means and said cutting device relativeto the bottom of the body of water.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7,including a floatable structure and drive means to move said floatablestructure relative to a body of water, said belt being suspended beneathsaid floatable structure arranged to advance aquatic growths downwardlyto said cutter means, sensing means associated with the suspendedstructure to sense the approach of an obstacle and means responsive tosaid sensing means to raise said belt and said cutter means thereoverand thereafter return said belt and said cutter means to an operativecutting position.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein themeans suspended beneath the floatable structure is associatEd withhydraulic actuating means.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15,wherein the hydraulic actuating means includes a pressure control valve.17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the hydraulic actuatingmeans includes a relief valve means.
 18. The apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein the relief valve means includes a solenoid valve andswitch means for actuation of said solenoid valve.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the vacuum conduit means includes means totransport the initial cut aquatic growths to supplemental cutting means.20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means fortransporting the aquatic growths to the supplemental cutting meansfurther includes pressure means.
 21. The apparatus according to claim20, wherein the pressure means further includes valve means arranged tomaintain positive pressure on the aquatic growths being cut by thesupplemental cutting means.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the means defining a discharge opening further includes aterminal end portion adapted to support a spreader means fordissemination of the cut aquatic growths on the bottom of the body ofwater.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the spreadermeans further includes means for correlating the position of saidspreader means relative to the bottom of the body of water.
 24. Theapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means defining the dischargeopening therein is capable of delivering the processed aquatic growthsto a remote area.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein themeans suspended beneath the floatable structure includes an articulatedpipe joint.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein thearticulated pipe joint is associated with hydraulic means.
 27. Theapparatus according to claim 26, wherein the articulated pipe jointfurther includes switch means in cooperative relation with saidhydraulic means.
 28. The apparatus of claim 1, includingmulti-directional propulsing means carried on a floating structureforming part of the apparatus for effecting the direction and the rateof movement of the apparatus.